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section from Amadeus script:
The Emperor turns to Mozart.
JOSEPH Well, Herr Mozart! A good effort. Decidedly that. An excellent effort! You've shown us something quite new today.
Mozart bows frantically: he is over-excited.
MOZART It is new, it is, isn't it, Sire?
JOSEPH Yes, indeed.
MOZART And German?
JOSEPH Oh, yes. Absolutely. German. Unquestionably!
MOZART So then you like it? You really like it, Your Majesty?
JOSEPH Of course I do. It's very good. Of course now and then - just now and then - it gets a touch elaborate.
MOZART What do you mean, Sire?
JOSEPH Well, I mean occasionally it seems to have, how shall one say? (he stops in difficulty; to Orsini-Rosenberg) How shall one say, Director?
ORSINI-ROSENBERG Too many notes, Your Majesty?
JOSEPH Exactly. Very well put. Too many notes.
MOZART I don't understand. There are just as many notes, Majesty, as are required. Neither more nor less.
JOSEPH My dear fellow, there are in fact only so many notes the ear can hear in the course of an evening. I think I'm right in saying that, aren't I, Court Composer?
SALIERI Yes! yes! er, on the whole, yes, Majesty.
MOZART (to Salieri) But this is absurd!
JOSEPH My dear, young man, don't take it too hard. Your work is inge- nious. It's quality work. And there are simply too many notes, that's all. Cut a few and it will be perfect.
MOZART Which few did you have in mind, Majesty?
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To confine our attention to terrestrial matters would be to limit the human spirit.- Stephen Hawking
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